VOLVO JOINS ENVIRONMENT PROTECTION UK AS PART OF ITS EMISSIONS EQUALITY PROGRAMME
VOLVO JOINS ENVIRONMENT PROTECTION UK AS PART OF ITS EMISSIONS EQUALITY PROGRAMME
Volvo Car UK has become a member of Environment Protection UK (EPUK) as the latest step in its Emissions Equality campaign where it aims to provide greater transparency on a vehicle's total emissions, not just CO2.
Environment Protection UK is one of the oldest and most respected charities in this field and, like Volvo, is educating British businesses and consumers that emissions such as hydrocarbons, NOx and particulates are a major contributor of poor air quality which it has been estimated could cause 50,000 premature deaths in the UK1.
Volvo will use membership to work with other corporates through EPUK's range of divisional meetings and seminars to improve awareness and share best practice across the entire scope of air quality. "Working with partners such as EPUK will help build further awareness of our Emissions Equality campaign beyond just the motor industry," said Peter Rask, Regional President of Volvo Car UK, Ireland and Iceland.
"We can work with both companies and consumers to look at new initiatives around improving air quality, particularly in and around our towns and cities.
"Our Emissions Quality programme isn't about reducing the focus on CO2; our campaign is about all drivers being given easy access to the complete set of pollutants information so they can make a more informed decision when they buy a new or used car," he added.
James Grugeon, Chief Executive at Environmental Protection UK said: "The motor industry is doing a great deal to reduce its impact on the environment, but Volvo's approach to tackle the emissions that directly contribute to poor air quality is a fresh and very welcome approach. Poor air quality represents one of the greatest threats to public health in our towns and cities," he added.
Following on from the launch of the Emissions Equality campaign in July, Volvo has launched an iPhone App that reveals the toxic emissions which impact local air quality and human health, such as carbon monoxide, oxides of nitrogen, hydrocarbons and particulates. This can be used in the showroom when buying a new or used car. The App is already available in the Apple Store, while access to PC users is at http://www.cleangreencars.co.uk/jsp/cgcmain.jsp?lnk=3a0
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Notes to editors
1 Source: Environmental Audit Committee
CO - Carbon monoxide reduces the oxygen carrying capacity of the blood.
HC - Hydrocarbons contribute to ozone formation. Some kinds of HCs can also be carcinogens and are also indirect greenhouse gases.
NOx - Oxides of nitrogen react in the atmosphere to form nitrogen dioxide (NO2) which can have adverse effects on health, particularly among people with respiratory illness.
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